Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 88879 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88879 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
My father glares at me, his eyes darkening. He doesn’t say a word, but the intensity in his gaze speaks volumes. I wonder what’s going through his head because what’s going through mine is the hope I can convince him quickly so he can go home and I can meet the deadline that Ivan Ivanovich has given me.
“I’m thinking,” Dad says slowly, “that I don’t want you involved with someone like this. Even if it’s only for a few days.”
“Dad, please be realistic. As we stand here now, you don’t even have a roof over your head, the agency is gone, and I’m essentially unemployed. He will return everything you’ve lost in the game—the agency, your house, your car, your debt… We gain everything back while he gains nothing of physical value.”
“I didn’t know,” my dad says, his voice heavy with disbelief. “I didn’t know that anybody in their right mind would let go of a hundred and twenty million dollars simply to be able to see a woman for a few days.”
“Dad, let me tell you how he thinks. He once told me that at a certain level of wealth, money becomes worthless and therefore everything he acquires is basically free.”
He stares at me once again, and then he sighs, a deep, weary sound that fills the room. “If you’re sure about this, then fine. You do what you need to. But you need to keep me in the loop. I don’t want him to take advantage of you in any way.”
“Yes, Dad,” I reply meekly. “I have it all under control.”
As he continues to stare at me, his lips begin to tremble, and his eyes fill with tears. Instantly, I lean forward, wrapping my arms around him tightly, pulling him into a hug.
“I’m so sorry,” he apologizes, his voice cracking. “I am so sorry I put you in this position, sweetheart.”
I shut my eyes tightly and hold on to him. “It’s not your fault, Dad,” I say softly, but he cuts me off.
“Yes, it is. It’s all my fault. I am so, so sorry.”
“It’s okay,” I reply, my voice steady. “We’re lucky I know him. It will all be over soon, and everything will go back to normal.”
Chapter Twenty-One
IVAN
“Well?” I say into my phone, as the door to the G-Wagon is pulled open and I step out of the driver’s seat.
One of my men gives me a respectful nod as he takes my place and drives the car into the garage.
“Hello, Mr. Ivanovich,” Dr. Van says quietly in my ear. “The lab has just contacted me with the results of the tests and to all intents and purposes she has been given the all-clear. I will email the results to you. I’ve also given her a prescription for an effective contraceptive protocol that will take a few days to take effect, but in the meantime, I believe, she is already on an acceptable method of birth control.”
I end the call as Boris opens the door for me. I nod in acknowledgment. Muriel is waiting as well, along with two other staff, both male. She smiles at me.
“Dinner’s ready, and as you requested, they went all out, Sir.”
I glance at the two other wait staff standing beside her. “It’s been an exhausting day. I want peace and quiet. After I’ve eaten, everyone can retire for the night.”
She nods. “Very good, Sir.”
I remove my jacket and she takes it from me in a smooth practiced movement and passes it to one of the men. I take my seat at the dining table and she pours wine into my glass. “You are having seafood and fish, but I believe this red Château Caronne Ste-Gemme will be the perfect accompaniment,” she murmurs quietly.
I swirl the deep red liquid in the gold-rimmed glass meditatively. Already, I can smell the complex aromas. I take a sip and let the richness of the velvety smooth Boudreaux roll on my tongue while she stands back and waits. That is the beauty of Muriel, she is more talented and knowledgeable about wines, choosing and pairing them with food than some of the best master sommeliers in Europe, but she is impressively modest and understated about her rare ability.
I nod appreciatively at her selection and she allows herself a small smile of satisfaction before filling my glass one-third of the way. One of the wait staff arrives promptly and begins to serve the meal.
“For the starter, we have edible seaweed rolled with horseradish, barbecued langoustine, and golden beets,” Muriel explains.
I place a forkful of langoustine into my mouth and it melts beautifully on my tongue. It is a fantastic creation and a class act in the play of delicate flavors.
“This is superb. Who made it?”
“Anton created both the starter and main course, and Juan helped with the preparations. The preserved squid plait you will be having with your main course was sourced by James and flown in this afternoon from Japan.”